By all accounts, the finance field is growing. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor, growth is expected in the majority of positions through 2026 -- much faster than the national average.
For graduating hopefuls or new career path seekers, this gives a great outlook and carries the potential for finding a job in the finance field relatively quickly. For finance firms, this means the tough task of sorting through the talent and picking the top recruits will include many inexperienced candidates. But, with some luck, they may offer that exact trait you are looking to mold and grow in a successful employee with your firm.
Below, 10 members of Forbes Finance Council give some insight into the top traits to look for in new finance job candidates.
1. 'People First' Mentality
Integrity and putting the client first in everything you do is critical to long-term career success. A lot of what we do as financial advisers can be learned, developed and passed on, but no one can be taught to put their clients' interests ahead of their own. It must be ingrained in their DNA from day one and act as the compass that guides major decisions at critical times. - Matthew Petrozelli, Valley National Financial Advisors
2. Capacity To Learn And Apply
This means a strong desire for continuous education and improvement to best serve the client. I don't want someone who is hopelessly stuck in a comfort zone. I want someone who, when asked a question they can't answer, will be driven to go learn and bring back answers that can best resolve issues and provide solutions that are optimized for the client's needs. - Richard Cantu, GoMedigap
3. Customer Skills
I look for someone who not only knows the numbers but can explain why the numbers are what they are. I want someone that can not only do the job, but is also able to deal with clients and make them feel comfortable. Doing their books does not mean just doing bookkeeping, but also helping clients learn the "why" behind the numbers. - Robin Hall, VARC Solutions
4. Attitude
I’ve learned that the right hire can learn almost anything with training. Attitude, on the other hand, is something that rarely changes. That’s why I pay as much attention to potential hires’ mindsets and outlooks as I do their experience. You’ll never know everything in finance, but this willingness to learn will always give you a seat at the table. - Elle Kaplan, LexION Capital
5. Effective Communication Skills
The ability to effectively communicate with employers is a crucial quality to look for in a candidate. Communicating with bosses, co-workers and clients about information or issues regarding work is essential -- honest and transparent communication is key to building trust with clients. It is also desirable for the candidate to be flexible and willing to utilize different mediums of communication. - Ibrahim AlHusseini, The Husseini Group
6. Emotional Intelligence
The ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of the people around you is critical to succeed in the field of finance. An individual with high EI is better suited to acquire new clients and service those relationships over many years. After all, much of our work extends beyond the logical (numbers and facts) and crosses over to the emotional (behavioral finance). - Amir Eyal, Mylestone Plans LLC
7. Problem-Solving Skills
I look for people who are problem solvers. When a person is open-minded and analytical, he or she will be able to approach any problem from several different viewpoints and choose the one that is the most logical and feasible for their client and their company. Seeing all sides of an issue and being able to resolve it diplomatically and intelligently is invaluable in the finance business. - Shane Hurley, RedFynn Technologies
8. Modesty And A Balanced Approach To Life
Prosperity requires time and effort over a long haul. Many young financial professionals believe it necessary to appear successful to attract success, thereby creating a lifestyle that is difficult to maintain as they are building their career. - Perry Dalessio, D'Alessio Tocci & Pell, LLP
9. 'Serve First' Mentality
Providing financial guidance is not a career; it's a calling. As advisers, our responsibility is to serve our clients first, last and always, as they seek financial peace of mind. It is an honor and a privilege to get to help people every single day. Serve the client with excellence and everything else will take care of itself. - Erik Christman, Oxford Financial Partners
10. Self-Motivation
Trustworthiness and being a quick learner are imperative to a lasting career in finance. Self-motivation is key in this ever-changing sea of finance. Once you gain the knowledge, you then have to be able to break it down to a simple explanation for those who need your help. If you counsel in a way such that your clients understand what they're doing, you will undoubtedly gain their trust. - Justin Goodbread, Heritage Investors
